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Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, struck fear into the heart of New Zealand on Friday when he shot dozens of Muslims inside a Christchurch mosque during prayer time.

The self-confessed terrorist live-streamed himself shooting repetitively at people of all ages as they laid on the floor. He has been arrested and charged with murder.

In a bizarre 73-page manifesto, published online and sent to authorities nine minutes before the shooting began, Tarrant said he had initially planned to attack the Al Huda Mosque, before deciding to target Christchurch instead.

Flowers, notes, flags and teddy bears lined the fence as members walked inside for midday prayers, joined by locals keen to show their support

Afterwards, the community met with police and city officials, who reassured them steps were being taken to ensure Friday's shooting could never happen again

Locals lay flowers and condolences at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed and injured on Friday

A policeman looks on as locals lay flowers at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed and injured on Friday

Locals are seen laying condolences, flowers, notes and toys at the Al Huda Mosque in tribute to those who lost their life on Friday

Ahmad Taha said he had been at Friday prayers with his brother in Dunedin when the attack took place, and feels horrible even thinking about what could have been.

He said there is a lot of fear within his community, and claims the mosque has been a target before.

'The mosque has been broken into a few times in the past – I don't know if it's related to the incident on Friday, if this guy might have come in here, because he wanted to do the massacre here,' he said.

Ms Obeidat said a lot of her community had a refugee background, and the shooting had left them deeply unsettled.

Emotioanl scenes were captured as locals attended the Al Huda mosque on Sunday to pay their respect

'Sending love and prayers for the families and friends whose lives were taken,' one note reads

Muslims in Dunedin were shrouded in love as the Al Huda Mosque reopened for the first time since the Christchurch massacre

Locals wrote messages on the footpath outside the Al Huda mosque as it was opened again on Sunday for the first time since the shooting on Friday

'I think everyone is frightened. There are a lot of refugees here – Palestinian, Syrian, and recently Afghanistan, so they're terrified,' she said. 'One of the girls who I am close with who is from Syria – she's unstable right now, she's mentally, really devastated.

'They're terrified to go to school wearing the hijab, which is what a lot of the Muslim community wear every day.

'They left a war zone to come to a safe country – for this to happen so soon, in New Zealand, it's heartbreaking.

The university student said she was haunted by the idea Tarrant could have stormed the Dunedin mosque, where her brother had been praying at the time.

Hundreds of locals lay flowers at the Al Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed on Friday and to give support to the muslim community

The mosque reopened on Sunday for first time since the Christchurch massacre and locals lay flowers and condolences

A sea of flowers was seen against the fence of the mosque as it reopened on Sunday

Mourners turned up to Al Huda mosque on Sunday to give their respect to the 50 people killed in the shootings on Friday

Flowers, notes, flags and teddy bears lined the fence as members walked inside for midday prayers, joined by locals keen to show their support

'There are no words to describe it – I don't even think there are feelings for this, like I don't know how I feel – I still can't believe it. '

Despite the tension, Mr Taha said everyone was so grateful to New Zealand for the way his community has been cared for in the wake of the horrific attack.

'The Kiwi people are wonderful, they are so amazing, I don't think anybody in the world could have done better than New Zealand,' he said.

'It feels like we are one big family – if someone is rogue or a lone wolf, it doesn't mean New Zealand is responsible for his act.'

Ms Obeidat said though the devastation was immense, nothing would lessen the faith of those who joined her inside the mosque.

'Nobody can ever tear Islam,' she said. We will fight back with love and prayer. That's all we will use.'

Emotional scenes were captured outside the Al Huda Mosque on Sunday as it was reopened for the first time since the shootings on Friday

Afterwards, the community met with police and city officials, who reassured them steps were being taken to ensure Friday's shooting could never happen again

Hundreds of well-wishers turn out to the mosque on Sunday for midday prayers to show support to the Muslim community

Hundreds of members of the community attended the Al Huda Mosque in tribute to those that died on Friday

Locals lay flowers and condolences at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed on Friday

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Hundreds of worshippers return to mosques for the first time since the Christchurch massacre